Volume 8.36 | Sep 22

TOP
STORY

Researchers sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of 384 localized prostate cancer patients, and identified a median of one mitochondrial single-nucleotide variant (mtSNV) per patient. Some of these mtSNVs occured in recurrent mutational hotspots and associated with aggressive disease. [Nat Commun]
Full Article

Scientists report that the chromatin modifier LSD1, an important regulator of androgen receptor transcriptional activity, underwent epigenetic reprogramming in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). LSD1 reprogramming in this setting activated a subset of cell cycle genes including CENPE, a centromere binding protein and mitotic kinesin. CENPE was regulated by the co-binding of LSD1 and AR to its promoter, which was associated with loss of RB1 in CRPC. [Cancer Res]
Abstract

The authors applied immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry of endogenous androgen receptor (AR) in LNCaP cells to identify components of the AR transcriptional complex. In total, 66 known and novel AR interactors were identified in the presence of synthetic androgen, most of which were critical for AR-driven prostate cancer cell proliferation. [Oncogene]
Abstract

By using three orthogonal methods including RNAseq, RT-qPCR, and an analytically validated chromogenic RNA in situ hybridization assay, scientists report consistent overexpression of TERC in prostate cancer. This overexpression occured at the precursor stage, and persisted throughout all stages of disease progression. [J Pathol]
Abstract

The authors examined the anti-cancer effects and molecular mechanism of simvastatin in human castration-resistant prostate cancer cells, particularly focused on LIN28B and its target molecule, let-7 microRNA among the various target genes of NF-κB. [PLoS One]
Full Article

Scientists summarize the currently available data on steroid hormones that have been implicated in the various stages of prostate cancer. They address the implications of these findings, highlights important studies in this field and identifies current gaps in literature. [Endocr Relat Cancer]
Abstract | Full Article

Visit our
reviews
page to see a complete list of reviews in
the prostate cell research field.

BERG announced the completion of clinical validation for a new predictive diagnostic test that can improve detection of prostate cancer. The new test can minimize unnecessary biopsies to distinguish men with prostate cancer compared to those with benign prostate hyperplasia. [BERG, LLC (PR Newswire Association LLC)]
Press Release

George Washington University has signed a $5.3 million corporate research sponsorship agreement with Maryland-based US Patent Innovations, LLC that will fund a new initiative to develop biomedical applications for cold plasma technology in cancer treatment. [George Washington University]
Press Release

A University of Dundee scientist has been awarded £2 million to explore the role that one of the most fundamental processes in cell biology plays in cancer. Professor Karim Labib will receive the grant from Cancer Research UK to study mechanisms that preserve genome integrity during the final stages of chromosome replication in animal cells. [University of Dundee]
Press Release

The number of researchers applying for Europe-funded Marie Curie fellowships in the United Kingdom has dipped slightly since the country’s vote to leave the European Union, data released to Nature show. But there is no evidence yet of a sharp collapse in interest, which some scientists had feared in the wake of the Brexit referendum. [Nature News]
Editorial

Angela Merkel will likely remain chancellor after the German elections, but the voting will shake up German federal politics in another way. Polls predict that the far-right Alternative for Germany will get close to 10% of the vote, winning seats in the federal legislature, the Bundestag, for the first time. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial

One of Erin O’Shea’s first moves as Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) president was committing $25 million a year to support postdocs from underrepresented groups. Her hope was that they would eventually change the color—and culture—of their departments as they moved into leadership positions, in addition to serving as role models for the next generation of scientists. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial